“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives . Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:29)

If there were ever a time when one might be afraid, it would be the night that Jesus was arrested, and his disciples fled the scene. Peter’s fear caused him to deny three times that he even knew Jesus. The “high” of being a disciple and even a friend of the healer and holy man loved by crowds of people, had disappeared, and the disciples were confronted by the world of authoritarian religious leaders and of Rome, the very “world” that Jesus had said was not for him.

There is a fifteenth century proverb of unknown origin concerning two women in the same house, implying that human relationships can be inherently hostile and even warlike; and that such hostility is inevitable. This is the condition of the “world.”

Jesus’ words about peace were given to men who could barely receive them at the time, but would ultimately spread Jesus’ words and demonstrate Jesus’ truth . They received from Jesus the Holy Spirit which enabled them to live the reality of his peace.

St. Paul was full of the Spirit of Jesus when Paul wrote to the Philippians: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

The “Peace that passes understanding” is a call to a reality that is not of our own making. It comes from another Person, and requires a separation and a surrender from our own motives to embrace a better way. Jesus’ resurrection opened not only his grave, but our graves, as well. It exposed a hope that had not been accessible before that event, and opened the very channel for a peace that passes understanding. Jesus conveyed to his disciples before his death :I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world! (John 16:33)

Jesus, and later, Paul, were both expressing the path opened by Jesus, by which human beings could experience and embrace peace in the midst of turmoil and even chaos. The peace that passes understanding comes from God’s Holy Spirit, and became available to us when Jesus overcame the world.

Love in Him,

Prue